Tennessee Vols: Butch Jones’ Quotes From 2013 Compared To 2017

The Tennessee Vols have come full circle from 2013 to 2017.

On Monday afternoon, Tennessee Vols head coach Butch Jones told the media that he is not okay with UT being 3-4.

As soon as I heard those words come off Jones’ lips, I immediately started to recall some of his quotes from his first season in Knoxville in 2013.

Unsurprisingly, a lot of those quotes from 2013 are very similar to things you’re hearing Jones say in 2017.

Here are some examples.

"“There are still some areas of concern. I think the one that’s evident is just our overall depth and the only way that you’ll prove that is to develop your players and recruit.” — September 9, 2013"

That might sound similar to this quote from 2017.

"“When you’re building like we are from ground zero, it takes time to building that competitive depth at nine position groups. We weren’t quite there yet. Are we closer in our football program than we were last year with those nine components? Absolutely, but not quite there yet.” — June 14, 2017"

Umm Butch, you were entering year five when you made that comment. You are aware that college football players only have four years of eligibility, right? How do you think this depth thing works???

Ok, let’s look at another comparison.

"“Losing will never, ever be tolerated here or accepted at the University of Tennessee and it’s unacceptable. You can search for all the excuses that you want, winning is a habit and losing is a habit and it’s unacceptable.” — September 16, 2013"

Interesting. Let’s fast forward four years and see how things have progressed.

"“Tennessee is not OK with being 3-4 and Butch Jones is not OK with being 3-4.” — October 23, 2017"

Actions speak louder than words, Butch. But let’s move on and see what else he’s said in the past.

"“It’s extremely hard to win in college football. We needed to get to victory number three; we got to victory number three. It’s a difficult process, but we got there. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a game like that.” — September 28, 2013"

Hmm, Jones’ comments after Tennessee barely beat South Alabama in 2013 sound incredibly familiar.

"“We needed to get win number three, and we got win number three. At the end of the day, it’s all about getting the victory” — September 23, 2017"

Sounds like Jones used the same script for the Vols’ lackluster win against UMass earlier this season.

Okay well surely the Vols are better prepared to take on Alabama in 2017 than they were in 2013.

"“We probably played our worst half of football that we have played all year. Some of it was due to the quality of our opponent.” — October 26, 2013"

That was a rough one against Bama in 2013, but that was to be expected in year one.

Let’s fast forward to 2017.

"“When you play a team like Alabama, every mistake you make is magnified. I think that was evidenced in the first half.” — October 21, 2017"

Yeah, it doesn’t look like things have improved much. Tennessee lost to Alabama by 35 in Jones’ first year and they lost to them by 38 in his fifth year.

It feels like 2013 all over again for the Volunteers. And that’s not good. Jones is using the same excuses in year five that he used in year one. That’s not what progress looks like.

We all know it’s time for a change in Knoxville. It’s now squarely on the shoulders of the athletic department to make that change happen.

EDIT:

Here’s a bonus Butch Jones quote — this one from his Central Michigan Days.

That sounds a lot like a comment from this past Sunday.

Goodness, Butch. Just stop talking already.